Erna Martens, age 101, died Monday, July 27, 2009, at Wheatland Manor Nursing Home, in Wheatland, Iowa. Erna was born November 23, 1907, to Albert and Dora (Burrichter) Busch on their farm near Nashville, Iowa. She was the oldest of four children. Erna and Walter Martens were married September 4, 1930, in Lost Nation, Iowa. Walter died in 1988. Erna was baptized, confirmed, and married in the Lutheran Church and is currently a member of St. Paul's United Church of Christ in Wheatland. Everyone considered it a great and filling treat to be invited to Erna's home to eat. She always shared her great rolls and coffee cakes with others. Walter was an electrician in Wheatland and Erna helped him in many ways with his business. She kept the books and has been heard to say, "If Walter was on a roof I was up there with him." Funeral services will be held at 10:00am Thursday, July 30, 2009, at St. Paul's United Church of Christ, in Wheatland, with Pastor Lynn Butterbrodt officiating. Burial will follow in Pine Hill Cemetery in Wheatland. Visitation will be held beginning at 9:00am on Thursday at the church. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to St. Paul's Memorial Fund or Wheatland Manor's Memorial Fund. Erna is survived by her nieces Yvonne King, Karen Fanderclai, Lorraine Mumm, Diane Wold and nephews Don Busch, Gary Busch, Ronald Petersen, Alan Busch and Richard Petersen. Erna was preceded in death by her parents, husband, two brothers George and Vernie, one sister Bernice Ibsen, and two nephews.